Tis the season for holiday theater fare and two San Diego standards are back. The Globe presents "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas" for its 16th year, and Cygnet stages the classic "A Christmas Carol" for the second time.

"Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…But the Grinch who lived just north of Who-ville did not."

Dr. Seuss’ classic tale becomes a whimsical musical at the Old Globe about a Grinch whose heart is two sizes too small. But little Cindy Lou Who and the others in Who-ville win the Grinch to their side in this family favorite.

This year, The Globe will offer an autism-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Saturday, Dec. 14. It will be performed in a friendly and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum and their families. This means fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members. In addition, children attending the performance can make a pre-show visit to the Globe this Sunday to familiarize themselves with the Theatre. Regular performances of the play run through Dec. 28th at the Shiley Stage.

Over at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town, there’s another familiar holiday tale taking the stage this weekend, and "A Christmas Carol" is also about the transformative nature of the holidays. Charles Dickens’ story about the bitter and miserly Scrooge and his transformation is presented as a live radio play direct from the fictitious broadcast studios of WCYG. One of the attractions is the live foley work to add sound effects to the play.

This year there are also new songs and fake commercial breaks. Cygnet invites audiences to come early, mingle with the cast, and enjoy some special holiday drinks.

Cygnet welcomes back many cast members to reprise their roles including Tom Stephenson as Ebenezer Scrooge, a character that’s as vivid today as he was 160 years ago when Dickens created him. So prepare to have your heart warmed or grown three sizes too big with these holiday classics.

Companion viewing: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" cartoon with Boris Karloff's voice, "A Christmas Carol" with Alastair Sim or the Muppet version, and also consider "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." And for you bah humbuggers, how about "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon."